Three keys to the Kings’ 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks

Tyler Toffoli

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Kings forward Tyler Toffoli grimaces in pain after colliding with Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic during the third period of a game on April 22.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Shaky defense was Kings' undoing in the playoffs, and fixing it could prove difficult for GM Dean Lombardi

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Kings forward Jeff Carter scores against the Sharks during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs at Staples Center on April 22.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Nothing the Kings did was quite good enough

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Kings goalie Jonathan Quick and forward Tyler Toffoli hang their heads after allowing a third period goal to Sharks forward Joonas Donskoi on April 22.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Kings eliminated from playoffs by San Jose Sharks in 6-3 loss

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Kings forward Trevor Lewis misses a chance to put the puck on the net as Sharks defenseman Roman Polak knocks it away during the first first period of a game on April 22.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Jonas Donskoi

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Sharks forward Jonas Donskoi scores a third period goal against the Kings during a game at Staples Center on April 22.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dustin Brown

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Kings forward Dustin Brown knocks the stick away from Sharks forward Nick Spaling during the first period of a game on April 22.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Chris Tierney

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Sharks forward Chris Tierney high fives teammates after scoring a first period goal against the Kings in Game 5 of the first round playoff series on April 22.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Staples Center

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A pregame light show takes place before Game 5 of the Kings and the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center on April 22.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

By Lisa Dillman

April 22, 2016 11:36 PM PT

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Here are three keys from the Kings’ 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks:

1.) Another slow start: San Jose scored the first goal in the final four games of the series. The Sharks took the crowd out of this one, quickly, by scoring 68 seconds into it.

2.) Regaining momentum: The Sharks’ Patrick Marleau was awarded a penalty shot at 5:31 and couldn’t convert. San Jose lost the momentum but somehow found it again in the third period.

3.) Secondary scoring: The Sharks’ big guns, the likes of Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski, carried San Jose through the first four games. In Game 5, the lesser-known Sharks stepped forward, along with Pavelski, who added another goal for good measure.

Follow Lisa Dillman on Twitter @reallisa

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Lisa Dillman is a former sports reporter for the Los Angeles Times; she left in 2016. She has covered the Kings, the Ducks, the Clippers, professional tennis, soccer and Olympic sports at five Summer Games and two Winter Games for the newspaper since 1992.

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